Omega Psi Phi is a service fraternity that seeks to influence young boys and men in a positive way to propel to positive futures. On August 5, three members of the Omega Phi Chapter gave a presentation to the Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo. Although the fraternity begins membership duringContinue Reading

On July 22, Everette Sands was the featured speaker at the breakfast meeting of the Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo. Sands is a veteran football coach who also is ranked Number 2 all-time at The Citadel in career rushing yardage. Sands related that during his football coaching career, he hadContinue Reading

On July 15, St. Andrews Optimists met and heard from Meera Bhonsle, the 2022 Miss South Carolina USA title holder. Bhonsle will compete in the Miss USA pageant which could lead to the Miss Universe pageant. She is a Lexington High School and USC graduate, who rose to her presentContinue Reading

Jill McHugh, the founder of the Nectar Project in Newberry, spoke to the Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo on July 8. After several years as Director of Palmetto Place in the Columbia area, she recently relocated to Newberry and is in the early stages of starting the Project. Its purposeContinue Reading

The June 17 speaker for St. Andrews Optimists was Tina Wilkerson, owner and founder of Elite Personal Training. Her business opened in 2008. A few years prior to opening, Wilkerson undertook a personal makeover to improve her fitness level. She spoke of a family history of poor health and ofContinue Reading

Irmo Town Councilman Bill Danielson spoke recently to the Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo. In his presentation, in addition to taking questions for the Club members, Danielson updated those in attendance on three key areas, among many, on which he is focused: Broad Road widening project, which is running behindContinue Reading

If it touches Lake Murray, either along shorelines or within the lake itself, Billy Chastain from Dominion Energy is responsible for its management. Chastain, who spoke on June 3 to St. Andrews Optimists, outlined some of his areas of responsibility. Lake Murray offers more than 650 miles of shoreline andContinue Reading

The Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo held their 36th Annual GolfTournament on Monday, May 9th at Golden Hills Golf & Country Club inLexington. The tournament was presented by Ken Shuler Schools andCorporate Sponsors included Ameris Bank-Irmo, Charles Elfert Family Farmsand John Mitchell Realty. All proceeds benefit youth programs in Irmo.Continue Reading

The St. Andrews Optimists Club welcomed Amanda Dupree as its featured speaker on May 13. Dupree is the Regional Development Director for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). She is responsible for fundraising efforts in the Georgia-South Carolina Region. Despite its name, LLS actually includes all blood cancers, such as HodgkinsContinue Reading

Mike Gula, Executive Director of Columbia Metropolitan Airport, spoke on May 6 to the Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo. The club’s speaker host was member Rick Calhoun, who happens to be a commercial pilot. In his presentation, Gula brought the club up to date on the current status of theContinue Reading

The St. Andrews Optimists Club inducted two new members on March 25.  Pictured, Optimist Don Keating administers the oath of membership to Misty Whetsell and J. B. Beckett. Left to right are Kerry Powers and Jim Turner who were the new member sponsors.Continue Reading